Oklahoma Community Orchestra premieres new work at OC

Tuesday, Nov 17, 2009

The Oklahoma Community Orchestra will premiere a new symphonic work called “The Mary Rose” Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. in Hardeman Auditorium at Oklahoma Christian University.

On the heels of the sold-out premier of the Argosy Overture, Kyle Dillingham and Callen Clarke are launching this Fantasy-Overture for violin and orchestra with OC music professor John Fletcher conducting.

The Mary Rose, a legendary Renaissance warship laid down 500 years ago by King Henry VIII, sank tragically in 1545 during the Battle of the Solent and was raised in 1982 by the Alexander McKee and the Mary Rose Trust; the only ship of its kind to be preserved. The music will feature themes and instruments from the era to vividly evoke the beautiful and violent world of Renaissance England.

Written by Edmond composer Callen Clarke and performed by world-renowned violinist Kyle Dillingham and the Oklahoma Community Orchestra, the Mary Rose premier will officially launch the Argosy Project, an initiative to revive symphonic music in America and the world through the creation and performance of exciting new orchestral repertoire. Representatives of the Mary Rose Trust and the new Mary Rose Museum currently under construction in the city of Portsmouth, England, are expected to be in attendance for this event.

At age 17, Dillingham, of Enid, had already performed twice on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn. He has represented the United States in performances in over 25 countries, earning himself the nickname “Oklahoma’s Musical Ambassador.”

“The mesmerizing sound of Kyle’s violin will take you places you’ve never been before,” Clarke said. “His energy and passion will leave you exhilarated.”
Dillingham just returned from Bangkok, where he performed for the queen of Thailand.

“It was an honor to be a part of such an historic celebration,” Dillingham said.

The Oklahoma Community Orchestra concert theme for Tuesday, “A Musical Sea Voyage” will also include: The Flying Dutchman Overture by Richard Wagner, Russian Sailors Dance by Reinhold Gliere, Sobre Las Olas by J. Rosas, Argosy Overture & Normandie Overtures by Callen Clark and performed by Kyle Dillingham, as well as Pirates of the Caribbean; A Worlds End by Hans Zimmer.

Single concert tickets may be purchased at the door Tuesday night or online at www.okorchestra.org. Tickets are $10 for adults; $8 for student and seniors (62+). For more information call (405) 425-1990, (405) 808-8804, or visit www.horseshoeroad.net.

The Oklahoma Community Orchestra consists of musicians in the Greater Oklahoma City area that seek to promote the performing arts and provide quality performances of symphonic literature at a nominal charge to the community. Approximately 70 musicians perform in the orchestra and most performances are at Oklahoma Christian University. For more information, visit www.okorchestra.org.